Arsenal Ladies Forward Crowned Top Street Football Talent
Ashleigh Goddard crowned
Coke Zero Presents: Wayne Rooney's Street Striker
Arsenal Ladies forward, Ashleigh Goddard, was crowned winner of the 2009 series of Coke Zero Presents: Wayne Rooney's Street Striker this week, after beating thousands of teenagers across the country to pick up the title.
After progressing from the trial stages held around the UK earlier in the year, Ashleigh went on to impress the show's judges, Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney, and co-host Andy Ansah, in a series of tough street football challenges, including the renowned 'Tower Block Challenge' and the new for 2009 'Tyre Challenge'.
Impressing Wayne Rooney and Andy Ansah with her combination of passion, determination, skill and raw talent, Ashleigh secured herself the winning title, the Coke Zero Street Striker trophy and an all expenses paid trip for two to the 2010 FIFA World CupTM in South Africa.
Ashleigh said, "To win Street Striker is a dream come true for me. I'm now looking forward to going to the World Cup final as part of my prize and to be in the stadium to see Wayne and the rest of the team lift the World Cup trophy really would be the icing on the cake.
In terms of my football career, I've been playing in the Arsenal Ladies reserves this season so my long term ambition is to break into the first team for my club and for the England senior side. Beyond that, I'd love to get the chance to play professionally in the United States. Kelly Smith used to be my assistant manager at the Arsenal Academy so one day I'd love to play alongside her in the US."
Wayne Rooney added, "Ashleigh has done brilliantly to win the title as the competition was very, very tough this year. But she stood up to the challenges and continued to impress us week after week.
We said at the beginning of the series that we wanted to get more girls to apply this year. We certainly had a fantastic response, with more girls than ever making it through trials and on to the show.
The fact that Ashleigh went on to win is outstanding, she totally held her own against all the other contestants, and she absolutely deserved to win and I'm sure she'll love her trip to South Africa."
James Williams, Head of Brand Experience, Coca‑Cola GB, said: "We're delighted that Ashleigh won this season as she really showed the great skill and passion that embodies the show. Our aim this year was to give more talented footballers the chance to see if they had what it took to be the Coke Zero Street Striker and we're really pleased with how popular it has become. We hope that with Ashleigh winning, more girls are inspired to practise their street football skills and get out there and play football. Congratulations to Ashleigh and we hope that she enjoys the prize trip to the 2010 FIFA World CupTM."
'Coca‑Cola Zero' has the great 'Coke' taste but zero sugar and has been a huge success since it was launched in the UK in 2006. Coca‑Cola has a heritage in football that stretches back over 70 years and spans all levels of the game and is a partner of the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World CupTM in South Africa.
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For further information and photography, please contact:
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment. Sarah Kendall / 0207 543 4583 / 07793 124 810. Jack Mansell / 0207 544 3737 / 07765 254 460. E: sarah.kendall@mcsaatchi.com / jackm@mcsaatchi.com
Notes to editors:
The Coca‑Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with 'Coca‑Cola', recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including 'Diet Coke', 'Fanta', 'Sprite', 'Coca‑Cola Zero', 'glaceau vitaminwater', 'Powerade', 'Minute Maid' and 'Georgia Coffee'. Globally, it is the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, the Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about the Company, please visit the website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
'Coca‑Cola', 'Coke' and 'Minute Maid' are registered trade mark of The Coca‑Cola Company.
